Friday, January 2, 2009

New year, new opportunities...

What a way to kick off 2009! This morning, I woke up to an e-mail from my girl, Sasha, congratulating me. On what, I had no idea. Until, I got an e-mail a few minutes ago from Pink Paislee announcing this! I am so over-the-moon about this opportunity, and completely honored to have been chosen as part of their creative team for 2009. Yipee! Additionally, I found out that my blog is going to be featured in a forthcoming issue of Somerset's "Artful Blogging" magazine! I can't wait!

We're still in DC... leaving tomorrow. Until I get home, I am without a memory card reader and unable to upload anything visually exciting from our trip. I promise I'll update in the next couple of days with that. We've had a great time, and it was so nice to be able to relax, take a creative break, and refresh my creative slate. I hope to return home with a renewed inspiration, and fresher outlook. I've made a couple of resolutions for myself this year. Aside from the typical list of eat healthier, work-out, lose 10 pounds... I have a couple of creative-based goals as well. I really am going to work on opening my Etsy shop this year. Now that I have an idea of what direction I want to take it in, this should be less of a daunting task.

And, as of this month, I am going to start a project called "The 12 Months of Christmas." I don't know about anyone else, but I love the holidays... especially the creative/crafting aspect of them. And, inevitably, ever year I make the resolution to complete one handmade decoration or gift every month of the year. That way, by the time Christmas rolls around, there is less stress, more enjoyment. And, inevitably, every year I fail miserably to adhere to the plan. This year, I am going to stick to that goal. And, I hope you'll join me down this creative path. I already have a pretty good idea of what January's project is going to be, so stay tuned.

While reading through my Jan issue of Real Simple, I really enjoyed the monthly feature "Your Words." January's issue is all about lists. And, this month, they asked readers what was on their NOT-TO-DO list for 2009. Interesting. These 2 responses really struck me. From Annemarie Kuiper, "I won't worry about where I'll be in 5 or 10 years - or really ever for that matter. Instead, I'll think about what I want to do and less about where I want to be. After all, I imagine that if I'm doing what I want to do, then I will be where I want to be." And, from Janet Dunn, "I refuse to let the dysfunctional people in my life cause my life to be dysfunctional. I will help as I can, but I will no longer allow their issues to control how I live." Words to live by, and things that I hope to remind myself of throughout the coming year.

I hope you all had a safe and happy New Year's Eve, and that your 2009 is off to a great start! So, what are your dreams, goals, resolutions for the year 2009? I want to hear all about them!

19 comments:

Mel G said...

Congrats Holly!!! What a great start to the New Year!!! Hope you had a fabulous time in DC. I think I'll join you in making on Christmas gift a month. With all I have planned, I NEED to start now!! haha

La grande cupcake said...

Hey Holly ...just wanted to say how much I ADORE your blog.I'm from Quebec (not to far from Montreal) and i've been scrapbooking for 2 years now.I check out your blog almost everyday for inspiration!I also was very curious as to whom was this fancy nancy caracter your girl was dressed up as for halloween!So I went to my local Chapters store and got my youngest a book and we both fell in love with Nancy!!!!Thankyou for that! Anyways,keep up the good work....Love your stuff!
Julie

Lizee said...

I am joining you on your 12-months of christmas!!! This is a fab idea. I made a lot of handmade gifts this year, but was so overwhelmed...because of course I made them the week prior to Christmas.

~just me said...

Congratulations!!! Happy 2009! Call me when you get home and settled in so we can catch up, I need my Holly time =0)

~k

Melonie said...

Huge Congrats to you Holly! I loved that article in Real Simple. It makes so much more sense to me to make a not to do list:) Happy New Year!!

A Soldier Girl said...

WHOOP WHOOPP ... GIRL I am so happy for ya .. I knew half the names on the list LOL I was like ooh, oooh , oohh . .LOL .. girl you rockin it out ..

travel back safe boo.
Sasha

redmom said...

Huge Congrats Holly!!! I saw the post on the Pink blog!!!

Happy New Year!

Unknown said...

oh i just saw the news about the pp dt, congratulations!!! you deserve it more than anyone! :) Congrats on the somerset studios blog thingy too! :) Im glad you had fun on your trip, i cant wait to see the pics! OH, and i just saw your message on facebook too, im sooo sorry for forgetting your birthday too, i am an idiot! BUT I hope you had a greaaattt birthday!! :D

Unknown said...

oh yeah, the 12 months of christmas is an amazinggg idea too. i should seriously do the same thing, i cannot even tell you how stressful my holidays were this year trying to get gifts made, ugh. your plan is super smart!

Jocelyn said...

Holly, I am so Happy for YOU!!!! You so deserve this wonderful opportunity and I just adore Pink Paislee!!!!! I have copied the quotes from Real Simple, because they so apply to me right now! Can't wait to see your Etsy shop!!! Have a wonderful 2009! So glad we found one another!!!

Jennifer Yates said...

Holly! Congrats to you! You are such an inspiration...I just love your work! Can't wait to see what you do with PP and your Esty store! Happy New Year!

KhrisW said...

Congratulations, Holly! That's great news!!!

metrochic said...

double congrats! and ditto on the etsy front. as for my stuff for '09...i think i'm going to give myself a month or so to figure out a plan. the plan might end up being "go with the flow", which is in fact, not a plan at all. BUT i do know that '09 is gonna rule. say it with me. ;)

Aimee Ann said...

congrats congrats! that's wonderful! I saw you up there!

dani said...

Congrats on everthing, how awesome!
and Happy New Year!!!

Unknown said...

Congrats girlie!!!!!!!!!

Zoe said...

omg! you are a superstar!!!!! i love the 12 months of christmas crafting! i sooo need to do that.

Shelley said...

HOLLY! GET OUTTA HERE! SO HAPPY FOR YOU~~ and all of new accomplishments! hoot hoot! I am intrigued by the idea of 12 months of Christmas... i can't wait to see your ideas and i think i can jump on board and play with you!!! keep craftin girl... you're awesome!

Leena said...

Holly, a BIG CONGRATULATIONS to you!! Sorry I didn't get the chance to pop in earlier. I can't wait to see your work with PP!! :)